Council remands debate over LED blinking stop signs to Law Enforcement Advisory Committee and requests peer survey

After an extended discussion and public input, the Villa Park City Council voted unanimously to remand consideration of a city policy regarding lighted/blinking stop signs to the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee and to ask staff to survey other nearby cities and to consult with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department about any performance metrics or studies.

Councilwoman Miles proposed a policy that would replace damaged or failed LED/blinking stop signs with regular reflective signs rather than re‑installing the LED devices; she raised concerns about the signs’ cost, maintenance and aesthetics and cited a recent invoice for repairs. Other councilmembers, residents and committee members voiced opposing views: supporters said the devices increase visibility at night, may reduce certain crash types and were installed after resident requests and LIAC consideration in 2021. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department supplied citation and collision data for multiple time windows and intersections and the Orange County Fire Authority and residents raised additional safety and visibility concerns.

The council’s adopted motion, as amended, directs LEAC to evaluate the LED/blinking stop-sign pilot and return with a recommendation. The council also asked staff to contact other city managers and law-enforcement partners to learn whether nearby jurisdictions have objective metrics, published studies or operational experience that inform whether such devices reduce collisions or otherwise change driver behavior. Councilmembers emphasized expectations that staff work within limited time and resource constraints and that LEAC include community input.

Ending: The item will return to council after LEAC review and staff outreach; councilmembers noted the timeline is likely several weeks to a few months depending on LEAC meeting schedules and responses from peer cities.